Toy belt-fed machine gun and cartridge therefor



Feb. 20, 1968 .1. 1.. BONANNO 3,369,535

TOY BELTFED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR I Filed Feb. 17, 1965 llheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOJZ'P/I/ z. ao/wA/A/ TTORNEYS J. L. BONANNO TOYBELT-FED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Feb. 20, 1968 llSheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 17, 1965 INVENTOR 91055; 1. Baum/w av W 24 MATTORNEY5 HEREFOR Feb. 20, 1968 J. L. 'BONANNO TOY BELT-FED MACHINE GUNAND CARTRIDGE T 11 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 17, .1965

5 m ta INVENTOR. JOJEPA/ z. Jim/4mm 5 X M I I AT RN'EYS Feb. 20, 1968 J.1.. BONANNO TOY BELT'FED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR llSheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 17, 1965 1% AW TTORNEYS Feb. 20, 1968 J. L;BONANNO TOY BELT'FED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Filed Feb; 17,1965 Y 11 Sheets-Sheet A TORNEYS Feb. 20, 1968 J. 1.. BONANNO 3,369,535

TOY BELT-FED MACHINE GUN AND GAl'i'TRIDGE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 17, 1965ll Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR:

JJJZPA/ 1. BOA/4A/A/0 AT ORNEYS Feb. 20, 1968 J. 1.. BONANNO TOYBELT-FED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Filed Feb, 17, 1965 11Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Feb. 20, 1968 J. L. BONANNO 3,359,535

TOY BELT-FED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 17, 1965 v 11sheets-sheet a INVENTOR: JOjfP/r 4 B0/V4/V/V0 AT ORNEYS Feb. 20, 1968 J.BQNANNO' 3,369,535

TOY BELTFED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 17, 1965 llSheets-Sheet 9 FIG. l3

INVENTOR J (/UjfP/r A. ZOMd/VA/O BY I Feb. 20, 1968 Y J. BONANNO3,369,535

TOY BELT-FED MACHINE GUN AND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Filed Feb. 17, 1965 11Sheets-Sheet 1o 89 INVENTOR:

uasm L. mum/0 WW3 [We Feb. 20, 1968 J. BONANNO TOY BELT-FED MACHINE GUNAND CARTRIDGE THEREFOR ll Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Feb. 17, 1965 FIG. I50

INVENTOR; 1/05 EF/f L. 5U/VA/V/V0 20 W JUOAY/VE X5 3,369,535 TOYBELT-FED MACHINE GUN A CARTRIDGE THEREFOR Joseph L. Bonanno, SouthOrange, N..I., assignor to De Luxe Reading Corp., Elizabeth, N..I., acorporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 17, 1965, Ser. No. 433,356 Claims.(Cl. 124-29) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Each cartridge carried byflexible Web comprises frictionally engaged projectile and shell. Weband cartridges advanced through gun housing by a peripherally-notchedwheel. At firing position, a spring pressed hammer strikes rear ofprojectile and propels it through gun barrel. Hammer is cocked by secondwheel carrying a projection. A second spring pressed hammer strikesshell laterally to eject it from gun housing. Second hammer cocked byprojections on notched wheel. Section of barrel is reciprocable. Asingle spring provides power for-rotating wheels and reciprocatingbarrel section in timed relation.

This invention relates generally to toys, and has particular referenceto an improved toy machine gun.

It is a general object of the invention to provide a lightweightrelatively inexpensive article which is exteriorly a realisticsimulation of an actual machine gun, and is provided with improvedmechanism for firing a succession of projectiles.

A more specific objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus oftrigger-actuated variety, adapted to accommodate and advance a beltwhich carries simulated ammunition, to fire a succession of projectilesforwardly through the barrel of the gun, and to follow each firing of abullet with a realistic lateral discharge of a shell.

A further objective of the invention is to provide a toy machine gun inwhich the simulation of the actual gun includes a mount in the nature ofa tripod, means for rotating the gun on a vertical axis through a full360 degrees, and means for swinging the gun in a controlled manner abouta horizontal axis to vary the angularity at which the projectiles aredischarged from the barrel.

It is a feature of the invention to provide, in addition, a simulationof the recoil of a real gun, this result being achieved by providing aforward barrel. section that is mounted for axial reciprocation, and ameans operated in timed relation to the firing of the gun forreciprocating this barrel section.

Another feature of the invention resides in the fact that the operationis entirely spring-operated, requires no batteries nor electricalconnections of any kind, and is so designed, both structurally andoperationally, that despite its sinister aspect it is quite harmless.

Among the features of the invention which contribute to its utilizationas a harmless toy is the design and construction of its several parts oflight-weight molded plastic, and the employment of cartridges each ofwhich consists of a light-weight plastic projectile associated in anovel frictional manner with a similar light-weight element simulating ashell, the impact of the propelled elements being of harmless magnitudeand character.

Another feature of the invention, contributing to the realism of thesimulation and the attractiveness of the toy, is the provision of aspecial flexible apertured element in the form of a plastic web or beltwith which the cartridge assemblies (each composed of a projectile andshellsimulating cylinder) can be readily mounted in parallel array; andthe provision of a gun stock with a guide housing into which thiscartridge-carrying web or belt can be ited States Patent C) "iceinserted and then advanced in realistic fashion as the gun is fired.

The actuating mechanism comprises, in brief, a means for supporting eachprojectile in alignment with the gun barrel, a spring-pressed means forstriking the projectile to propel it forwardly through and out of thebarrel, another spring-pressed striking means for propelling each shellelement laterally after the projectile has been separated from it, acommon main spring for activating these strikers, a means for stressingthe main spring and retaining it in releasable fashion in its stressedcondition, and a trigger for releasing the main spring and allowing itto activate the projectile striker and the shell striker in timedrelationship. Also actuated by the main spring is mechanism thatadvances the cartridge-carrying belt laterally in predetermined mannerto present the supported projectiles in succession to the firing means.

A basic general objective of the invention is to provide the operatingmechanism in the form of a relatively simple, inexpensive, and compactunit, to house this unit in a manner which shields it and assuresreliable operation over long periods of time and which at the same timeshields the user from any contact therewith, and to design the severalparts of the toy in such a way that they can be feasibly manufactured atlow cost on a commercial scale and readily assembled into a staunch andwear-resistant plaything.

One way of achieving these general objects and advantages, and suchother advantages as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, is shownin the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a toy gun assembly em bodying the featuresof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view, partly in section, of the rear end ofthe gun including the trigger and rear sight;

FIG. 3 is a similar view of the breech region;

FIG. 4 is a similar view of the front end including the front sight;

FIG. 5 is a similar view of the gun support in the region below FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the lines 66 shown on FIGS. 3 and5 FIGS. 7 and 7a are details along corresponding lines on FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the breech region, with parts broken away toreveal the main spring and actuating rack;

FIG. 9 is a plan view in the direction 99 of FIG. 8, with the top wallof the guide housing closed;

FIG. 10 is a similar view along the line 1010 beneath the top wall;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section on line 11-11 of FIG.8;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of some of the drive mechanism;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the elements of FIG. 19 in assembled relation;and

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view on line 2121 of FIG. 20.

The gun may be used in any position, and may be carried by the user orsupported on a stand. An illustrative mount is shown in FIG. 1,comprising a platform 30 towhich legs 31 are pivotally connected, and asupport element 32 rotatable on the platform about a vertical axis andprovided with upstanding spaced cars 33. Mounted between the ears on ahorizontal spindle 34 is a swingable element 35 having a hub 36 forsupport on the spindle 34, an upper bracket portion 37 for securement tothe gun itself (e.g., by bolts 38 extending through pierced lugs 39),and a lower exteriorly toothed gear segment 40. The latter meshes withan actuating pinion 41 mounted on a shaft 42 journaled in bearings 43 onthe element 32. The shaft 42 carries a control handle or crank 44 whoserotation adjusts the gun to selected different angularities with respectto the platform 30. The shaft 42 is mounted for axial shifting (FIG. 7a)and carries a non-circular (e.g., squared) portion 45 adapted to beselectively locked with or withdrawn from a similarly shaped recess 46in the adjacent bearing 43. This allows the gun to be locked at any of anumber of different angles since rotation of the shaft 42 is preventedwhenever the part 45 is shifted into registry with the recess 46 (seeFIG. 7).

The individual parts of this supporting structure, and of the gunitself, may be advantageously composed of molded light-weight plastic,since this lends itself in known fashion to selected pigmentation and tothe realistic simulation in considerable detail of actual gun mounts andgun parts, whereby the attractiveness of the toy is enhanced.

The gun itself comprises a rear part having spaced handles 47 (FIG. 2)and a depressible trigger 48 between them; a hollow medial gunstockregion (FIGS. 3 and 8) composed preferably of two longitudinal halvesjoined by transverse bolts; and a forward part 50 containing the barrelof the gun, including a front barrel portion 51 (FIG. 4) mounted foraxial reciprocation, and a rear fixed barrel part 52.

The rear part of the gun may be provided with a rear sight 53, and theforward part 50 may carry a front sight 54.

Directly behind the rear end 55 of the fixed barrel part 52 (see FIG.3), the gunstock is provided with a hollow region or housing 56 (FIG. 6)through which cartridge units 57 (see FIG. 1) can be broughtsuccessively into a firing position in alignment with the gun barrel.The top wall 134 of the housing is pivoted to the gunstock at 135 andreleasably latched at 136 so that access to the interior is readilyavailable. An opening or pasageway 78 (FIGS. 6 and 9) is formed in thetop wall 134 for a purpose presently to be described. A special flexiblecarrier or belt 58 moves into the housing 56 through an inlet opening atone side (the near side as seen in FIG. 1 and the right side in FIG. 6);is guided through the housing; and leaves the housing through an outletopening on the opposite side.

The cartridge belt and the nature of the units it carries are shown bestin FIGS. 1, 6, 19, 20, and 21.

Each cartridge comprises a projectile and a cylindrical element withwhich it can be frictionally assembled in readily separable relation.The projectile 59 is shown at the right of FIG. 19, the shell element 60at the left. The projectile is preferably of circular cross-section andhas an enlarged head 61, preferably blunt or rounded at its front end.Extending rearwardly from the head 61 is a stem 62 of reduced diameterhaving a blunt flat rear end. Surrounding the stem 62, preferably in theregion directly behind the head 61, are small enlargements or ribs 63.The entire projectile is a single element of light-weight plastic moldedto the configuration described. The cylindrical element 60, also asingle molded piece, is essentially a sleeve whose outer diameter issubstantially the same as that of the projectile head 61 and whose innerdiameter is slightly greater than that of the projectile stem 62,whereby the forward part of the sleeve can be frictionally fitted overthe ribs 63 as shown in FIG. 20. The rear end of the element 60 has aflange 64. The length of the cylinder is less than that of theprojectile stem 62 so that when the parts are assembled the rear end ofthe stem 62 will project rearwardly as shown in FIG. 20.

The flexible carrier 58 is an integral element of flexible plasticconfigured to define a part which may be termed a web 65, and fins 66and 67 (see FIGS. 6 and 21) projecting outwardly on Opposite sides ofthe web. Conjointly the fins 66 and 67 define a center rib extending inthe longitudinal direction of the carrier 58. This rib serves as a guidefor the carrier during its movement through the gun, being guided by theopposed upper and lower grooveways 68 and 69 (FIGS. 6 and 8) in thehousing. To facilitate the introduction of the carrier into the housingthe grooveways may be flared outward at their inlet ends, as shown inFIGS. 8, 9, and 10.

The rib defined by the fins 66 and 67 also serves as a holder for thecartridges. It will be noticed that the web is shaped to provide asuccession of substantially semicylindrical depressions 70 (FIG. 21)connected by planar areas 71. Each depression 70 has an inner curvaturecorresponding to that of the cartridge unit so that the latter may becradled in it.

The fins 66 and 67 are formed in pairs on the web 65 only in the regionof each convexity 70, and they are separated in the planar areas 71,thus allowing the carrier 58 to flex in these planar areas.

Each fin 66 on the upper side of the web 65 is provided with a circularaperture 73 whose diameter is larger than that of the projectile stem 62but less than that of the projectile head 61 and sleeve element 60. Whenthe cartridge units are loaded onto the carrier, each unit rests in oneof the depressions 70 and is brought to this condition by passing theprojectile stem 62 rearwardly through one of the apertures 73 and thenapplying the sleeve element 60 to it. The frictional interengagement ofthe parts positions the projectile head 61 on the forward side of thecenter rib and the shell 60 on the other.

As the ammo belt or carrier is fed into the gun stock by introducing therib into the grooveways 68 and 69, the semi-cylindrical depressions 70come into engagement successively with recesses 74 on the periphery of awheel 75 (see FIGS. 6, 12, 16, 17, 18). The rotation of this wheel in amanner presently to be described serves to advance the cartridge carrierthrough the guide housing. During its travel it brings the cartridgeunits successively into alignment with the gun barrel 52. One such unitis shown in this location in FIG. 3. At the moment of each suchalignment the firing mechanism functions to cause the front end of rod76 (see FIGS. 3, 14, and 15) to strike the rear end of the projectilestem 62 and thus separate the projectile 59 from the shell 60 and propelit forwardly through the gun barrel. Almost immediately thereafter thereleased shell element 60 is struck laterally, i.=e., upwardly, by thestriker 77 (FIGS. 6, 16, 17, 18) and thus propelled out of the topopening 78 (FIGS. 3 and 6) of the guide housing 56. The flange 64 at therear end of the shell 60 can be guided along the rib 137 on the floor ofthe housing 56 before the shell is struck.

The activation of the hammer rod 76 and striker 77 (and of thereciprocable barrel part 51) is controlled by a main spring which can bestressed by a simple external adjustment, releasably retained instressed condition, and released at will by pressure upon the trigger48. The spring is a coiled compression spring 79 mounted upon a rod 80extending lengthwise within the hollow gun stock along one of the sidewalls. This wall is designated 72 in FIG. 11. The spring 79 ispreferably prestressed so as to minimize the change of force availablefor actuating the mechanism, i.e., the force exerted by the spring afterit has been fully loaded and fully released is substantially uniform.

Mounted parallel to the rod 80 is a toothed rack 81. slid-able in itsaxial direction. At its front end, the rack 81 carries a projection 82(FIG. 8) which is looped around the rod 80 in front of the spring 79.Rearward movement of the rack thus compresses and stresses the spring79.

The guidance of the rack 81, and its connection to the actuating knob 83on the exterior of the housing, is shown in FIG. 11. The knob 83 isrigidly secured to a stem 84 carried by the rack .81 and projectinglaterally through a slot 85 in the housing wall 72. The stem 84 issecured to a guide piece 86 which rides on the exterior face of the wall72, and the rack is formed with a part 87 which is similarly guidedalong the inner face of the wall. The teeth of the rack 81 \mesh with adrive pinion 88. Through this pinion the force of the stressed spring 79is transmitted to the mechanism. This mechanism can best be explained byreference to FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The gears, shafts, and other elements are mounted in any suitablefashion within an appropriate frame 89 of rigid material such as metal.The pinion gear 88 is mounted at the end of a transverse shaft 90 and isin constant mesh with the teeth of the rack 81. Mounted on the shaft 90in concentric relation thereto, but freely movable with respect to theshaft, is a sleeve 91 carrying a small-diameter spur gear 92 at one endand a relatively large-diameter spur gear 93 at the other end. The largegear 93 is formed on its outer surface (see FIG. 15) with a plurality of(preferably two) inclined portions 94 arranged along an arc concentricwith the shaft axis. Each inclined portion terminates in an abruptshoulder 95. These formations are the equivalent of ratchet teeth. Theycooperate with :an element 96 serving the function of a pawl which issecured to the shaft 90 and is constantly urged by spring 97 intorubbing contact with the face of the gear 93. The pawl element 96carries parts adapted to ride up the inclined portions 94 on the gear 93whenever the shaft 90 is rotated in one direction (counter-clockwise inFIG. 15), whereby this rotation of the shaft transmits no power to thegear 93. On the other hand, the pawl element parts engage the abruptabutment faces 95 on the gear 93 when the shaft 90 is rotated in theopposite (or driving) direction, whereby the shaft 90 imparts acorresponding rotation to the gear 93. More specifically, as viewed inFIG. 12 when the pinion 88 and shaft 90 are rotated in a clockwisedirection, the pawl 96 rides ineffectively up the inclines 94 on thegear 93 and the latter remains stationary; but

when the shaft 90 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (i.e.,whenever the stressed spring 79 is allowed to impose its force upon thepinion 88) the pawl disc 96 presses against the shoulders 95 on the gear93 and causes it to be driven in a counter-clockwise direction.

The gear 93 carries, on its inner face, a plurality of camming discs 98,arranged along an arc concentric with the shaft axis. Eaoh camming disc98 is preferably a circular disc adapted to encounter and bear againstthe front edge 99 of a flat pivoted spring stresser element 100. Thiselement has a flat part in a longitudinal plane, presenting a sharpfront edge 99, and another part in a transverse plane. It is adapted topivot on a transverse horizontal :axis 101 at its lower end, andwhenever the gear 93 is rotated and one of the camming discs 98encounters the edge 99, the element 100 is swung into the position shownin FIGS. 14a and 15a. This swinging movement is accomplished against theconstant urgence of a spring 102 which is anchored at one end to thesupporting frame 89 and at the other end to the pivoted element 100.

The upper edge of the transverse part of the element 100 is normallypositioned in front of a tooth 103 on a pivoted keeper 104 (FIGS. 14 and15). This keeper is pivoted at 105 to the rear end of the longitudinalhammer rod 76 which is aligned with the gun barrel 52. Adjacent to itsforward end this rod is provided with a flange 106 and between thisflange and a part of the frame 89 is a compression spring 107. Wheneverone of the camming discs 98 pushes the pivoted element into the positionshown in FIG. 14a the rod 76 is pulled rearwardly against the urgence ofthe compression spring 107. This is the hammer for striking theprojectile 59 and propelling it forwardly through the gun barrel, andthe compression of the spring 107 is the manner in which energy isstored up to permit the striking of the projectile to take placesuddenly and with adequate force. The release of the hammer rod 76 comesabout by virtue of the fact that the pivoted element 100 slides out frombeneath the tooth 103 of the keeper 104. This brings about a suddenrelease of the compressed spring 107, and as it expands it drives therod '76 forwardly in a sudden manner and the pressure of the forward endof this rod against the rear end of the projectile 59 causes the latterto be propelled forcibly forward through the gun barrel.

As each camming disc 98 reaches its rearmost position (as the gear 93continues to rotate) and then starts moving in a forward direction, thespring 102 swings the element 100 back to its normal position (FIG. 14).The element 100 resumes its position in front of the tooth 103 on thekeeper 104 by virtue of the fact that it cams the keeper out of the way,temporarily, against the urgence of the light spring 108 which tendsconstantly to maintain the keeper 104 in the full-line position shown inFIG. 14.

The tensioning and sudden release of the spring 107 takes place eachtime a camming disc 98 moves rearwardly against the front edge 99 of thepivoted element 100. In the mechanism illustrated, there are two cammingdiscs 98, arranged at diametrically opposite points on the gear 93.Thus, for each rotation of the gear 93 there are two activations of thestriking means for the projectile 59.

The striking means for the released shell element 60 is similarlyactivated by a spring which is tensioned and then suddenly released.This spring 109 extends between a fixed point on the frame 89 and thespring stresser 110 of the striking lever 77. The latter is mounted forpivotal movement on a longitudinal spindle 111 (see FIGS. 16- 18). Theother arm of the lever 77 is formed as a striking head, and in anintermediate part of the lever 77 there is aforward projection 112serving as a cam follower. The.

means for exerting a camming pressure on this follower is a series ofcircumferentially arranged arcuate projections 113 on the rear face ofwheel 75. This wheel is mounted at the forward end of a longitudinalshaft 114. At the rear end of this shaft is a rearwardly-facing crowngear 115 which meshes with a spur gear 116 on a transverse shaft 117.Interposed between the gear 116 and the gear 92 of the sleeve element 91is an intermediate transmission gear 118. Whenever the gear 93 is driven(as hereinbefore described) the meshing of the gears 92, 118, 116, and115 brings about a rotation of the wheel 75. During this rotation, aseach arcuate projection 113 encounters the cam follower projection 112it rocks the striking lever 77 into the position shown in FIG. 17,thereby tensioningthe spring 109, and as each projection 113 reaches thepoint at which it slides away from beneath the projection 112, thespring 109 becomes effective to suddenly return the striking lever 77 tothe position shown in FIG. 16. This causes the striking head to hit theshell cylinder 60 of the cartridge and propel it laterally out of theopening 78 in the housing 56 (FIG. 18).

As previously mentioned, the periphery of the wheel 75 is formed with asuccession of con'cavities 74 adapted to fit with the successiveconvexities 70 of the web part 65 of the cartridge belt 58. The gearsare so designed that the cartridge belt 58 is advanced in timed relationto the operation of the two striking mechanisms, whereby the projectile59 of each cartridge is first struck by the front end of the hammer rod76, and immediately thereafter the striking head of the lever 77 strikesthe released shell cylinder 60.

Also actuated by the gear 93 when it is rotated is the smaller gear 119formed at one end of a sleeve 120 mounted for free rotation on atransverse shaft 121. At one end of this sleeve it is provided with thecrank arm 122 to which is linked the rear end of a rod 138 which is inturn linked to the forwardly-extending rod 123 which controls thereciprocation of the front section 51 of the gun barrel (see FIG. 4).Preferably the opposite end of the sleeve 120 is formed with a toothedpart 124 which cooperates with one end of a rocker element 125. Thiselement serves to dampen the rotation of the sleeve 120 during the brieftime intervals following the firing of each projectile and preceding thenext rearward camming of the pivoted element 100.

The mechanism is normally held in a deactivated condition by thelatching lever 126. (See FIGS. and 1511.) This lever is pivoted at 101and its rear end is articulated at 128 to the connector 129 which iscarried at the forward end of the pivoted trigger arm 130. The rear endof the arm 130 constitutes the trigger 48, and whenever the latter isdepressed, the connector 129 is pulled up as indicated by dotted linesin FIG. 3. At the forward end of the latching element 126 it is providedwith an edge recess 131 adapted to come into releasable engagement withone of several projections 132 arranged along a concentric are on a faceof gear 93. A tension spring 133 normally urges the forward end of thelatching lever 126 into an upward disposition (FIG. 15), whereby thegear 93 is locked against movement.

When the spring-stressing knob 83 is moved rearwardly to increase thetension of the main spring 79, the rack 81 rotates the main driving gear88 but this rotation has no effect upon any of the other mechanism,because the pawl elements 96 ride freely over the inclined projections94 on the gear 93. The mechanism remains inactive, even after tensioningof the spring 79, because of the engagement of the latching lever 126with one of the projections 132 on the gear 93. However, pressureexerted upon the trigger 48 serves to lift the rear end of the latchinglever 126 and release the front end from the projection 132 on the gear93. This allows the stressed spring 79 to transmit its power through thegear 88 and the ratchet teeth 95 to the gear 93 whereby the two strikingmechanisms and the barrel-reciprocating mechanism are actuated in timedrelation as hereinbefore described. The mechanism comes to a halt assoon as the spring 79 has expanded to the maximum possible extent, and arecharging of this spring by means of knob 83 is then necessary beforefurther activation is possible.

Many of the structural details described and illustrated may obviouslybe modified without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a hollow part simulating a gun stock and supporting a barrel withits rear end accessible,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel, said means including a flexible web carryinga series of said cartridges in side-by-side relation along its length,

((1) means for striking the projectile to separate it from the shell andpropel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally,

(f) means for advancing said web longitudinally to bring successivecartridges to the firing position, and

(g) a common spring-powered drive mechanism within said gun stock foractivating said striking means (d) and (e) and said web-advancing means.(f).

2. A toy gun as defined in claim 1, in which said drive mechanismcomprises a spring,

means on said gun stock for stressing said spring,

a detent for releasably retaining said spring in stressed condition, and

a trigger on said gun stock for releasing said detent.

3. A toy gun as defined in claim 1, in which said drive mechanismcomprises a pre-stressed compression spring mounted on a rod extendinglengthwise through the spring,

means on said gun stock for further stressing said spring, and

releasable means for retaining said spring in said further stressedcondition.

4. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a barrel, said barrel comprising a means which includes a forwardsection mounted for axial reciprocation,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally, and

(f) means for reciprocating said barrel forward section when the gun isfired.

5. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a barrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally, and

(f) a common spring-powered drive mechanism for activating said strikingmeans (d) and (e) in timed relation.

6. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a barrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel, and

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally,

each of said striking means (d) and (e) comprising a spring pressedhammer, and means for stressing and suddenly releasing said spring, saidmeans comprising a spring stresser mounted for oscillating movement, acan; surface carried by said spring stresser,

an a rotatable drive shaft carrying a cam adapted to press against saidcam surface in opposition to the urgence of said spring.

7. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a hollow part simulating a gun stock and supporting a barrel withits rear end accessible,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(0) means for supporting the cartrige in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel,

(d) means for striking the projectile to separate it from the shell andpropel it through the barrel, (e) means for striking the separated shellto propel it laterally, and

(f) a common spring-powered drive each of said striking means (d) and(e) comprising 9 a spring-pressed hammer and means for stressing andsuddenly releasing the spring of each springpre'ssed hammer onsuccessive occasions, each of said means comprising a spring stressermounted for oscillating movement and a rotating shaft carrying a seriesof circumferentially spaced cams adapted to engage said stresser insuccession and move it against the urgence of said spring, and in whichsaid drive mechanism is articulated to said shafts for rotating the camscontinuously.

8. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a barrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel, said cartridge supporting means comprising aguide housing, and an apertured element insertable into said housing forengagement thereby, said cartridge being supported Within said aperture,said apertured element comprising a web perpendicular to the gun barrelaxis, an apertured fin on said Web, said projectile and shell lying onopposite sides of said fin, the projectile having a stem extendingthrough said aperture into association with said shell,

((1) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel, and

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally.

9. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a barrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it, said shell being a cylindrical element andsaid projectile having a stem extending rearwardly through and beyondsaid element, said projectile stem and shell being configured tointerlock in frictional, readily separable, relationship,

() means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel, said cartridge supporting means comprising aguide housing provided with an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and ashell-discharge opening, and a web having an apertured fin thereinmovable into and out of said housing through said inlet and outletopenings, said projectile and shell lying on opposite sides of theaperture in said web and said projectile stem extending through theaperture in said web into interlock with said shell,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel, and

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally.

10. A toy gun as defined in claim 4, including also:

(g) a common spring-powered drive mechanism for activating said strikingmeans (d) and (e), and said reciprocating means (f), in timed relation.

11. A toy gun as defined in claim 6, in which said cam comprises a wheelsecured to said shaft, and a series of circumferentially spaced camrningelements carried by said Wheel and adpated successively to press againstsaid cam surface and thus bring about a succession of spring stressingand releasing movements of said stresser.

12. A toy gun comprising:

(a) a barrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it, (c) means for supporting the cartridge ina firing position adjacent to the rear end of the barrel, said meansincluding a flexible web carrying a series of said cartridges inside-by-isde relation along its length,

(d) mean for firing the gun by striking the projectile 10 to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally, and

(f) means for advancing said Web longitudinally in timed relation to theoperation of means (d) and (e) to bring successive cartridges to thefiring position,

(g) each of said striking means (d) and (e) comprising a spring-pressedhammer, and means for stressing and suddenly releasing said spring.

13. A toy gun comprising:

(a) abarrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel, said means including a flexible Web carryinga series of cartridges in side-by-side relation along its length,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally,

(f) means for advancing said Web longitudinally to bring successivecartridges to the firing position, and

(g) means for activating said striking means (d) and (e) and saidweb-advancing means (f) in timed relation,

(h) each of said striking means (d) and (e) comprising a spring-pressedhammer and means for stressing and suddenly releasing said spring, andsaid activating means (g) comprising a drive mechanism adapted torelease the projectile activating spring first.

14. A toy gun comprising:

(a) abarrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel, said means including a flexible Web carryinga series of said cartridges in side-by-side relation along its length,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally, and

(f) means for advancing said Web longitudinally in timed relation to theoperation of means ((1) and (e) to bring successive cartridges to thefiring position,

(g) said shell being cylindrical element and said projectile having astern extending rearwardly through and beyond said element, saidprojectile stem and shell being configured to interlock in frictional,readily separable, relationship.

15. A toy gun comprising:

(a) abarrel,

(b) a simulated cartridge comprising a projectile and a simulated shellseparably associated with it,

(c) means for supporting the cartridge in a firing position adjacent tothe rear end of the barrel, said means including a flexible web carryinga series of said cartridges in side-by-side relation along its length,

(d) means for firing the gun by striking the projectile to separate itfrom the shell and propel it through the barrel,

(e) means for striking the separated shell to propel it laterally, and

(1?) means for advancing said web longitudinally in timed relation tothe operation of means (d) and (e) to bring successive cartridges to thefiring position,

11 12 (g) said cartridge supporting means comprising a 1,768,078 6/1930Krause 242100 guide housing, and said Web having an apertured fin2,857,813 10/ 1958 Elliottt 8933 therein, said Web being insertable intosaid hous- 2,921,573 1/1960 Horowitz et a1. 124-30 X ing for engagementthereby, said cartridge being 3,111,121 11/1963 Baggott 273--106 Xsupported Within said aperture. 5 FOREIGN PATENTS References Cited 4,0783/ 1915 Great Britain.

29163 i l PATENTS 89 3 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner. 8 now es 3 X1 302,332 4/1919 D Pont 124 51 10 RICHARD PINKHAM 1,311,949 8/1919Cooper 12441 X W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner.

